# Looking for a definition for "impress forcibly" **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 17, 2022, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082 "2022-07-17T11:32:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Octagon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/2acd7d/32.png) [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2022, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082/1 "2022-07-17T11:32:07Z")
i coudn’t find any definition for “impress forcibly”. Would instill fear/strike fear in/ intimidate be apt or too harsh? Is the phrase meant to be used in a milder sense? ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2022, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082/2 "2022-07-17T12:12:58Z")
Some context would be helpful. “Forcibly impress” is a perfectly useful phrase with a clear meaning. ---
**Author:** ![Octagon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/2acd7d/32.png) [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2022, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082/3 "2022-07-17T12:27:34Z")
I’ve looked for definitions and haven’t found any. Perhaps you could cite the definition you’re familiar with. Is the definition you are familiar with positive? neutral?, negative ? ---
**Author:** ![Octagon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/2acd7d/32.png) [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2022, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082/4 "2022-07-17T12:40:29Z")
The problem with the phrase is the word ‘forcibly’. Does the phrase mean to impress in an awe-inspiring way or in an intimidating way? Can it mean both? ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2022, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082/5 "2022-07-17T13:11:38Z")
Godsmacked Shock and awe. Brought me to my knees. Stunned. ---
**Author:** ![Octagon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/2acd7d/32.png) [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2022, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082/6 "2022-07-17T13:22:37Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > Shock and awe Thanks Si\_Amigo. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2022, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082/7 "2022-07-17T13:41:03Z")
I don’t see how “forcibly” means “awe-inspiring”. To my mind they are opposites. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2022, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082/8 "2022-07-17T13:47:47Z")
Bragging while holding a weapon? ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2022, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082/9 "2022-07-17T13:52:10Z")
For what it’s worth, every time I’ve heard this phrase, it’s been in the context of impressment. > **[Impressment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impressment)** > > Impressment, colloquially "the press" or the "press gang", is the taking of men into a military or naval force by compulsion, with or without notice. European navies of several nations used forced recruitment by various means. The large size of the British Royal Navy in the Age of Sail meant impressment was most commonly associated with Great Britain and Ireland. It was used by the Royal Navy in wartime, beginning in 1664 and during the 18th and early 19th centuries as a means of crewing warsh... ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2022, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082/10 "2022-07-17T14:16:56Z")
Without the context the OP is looking at we’re all just guessing. So, OP, what IS the context where you see this phrase? ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2022, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082/11 "2022-07-17T14:20:45Z")
That’s the real issue. Its usually the event that brings about the phrase. Like I was in shock and awe of the militarys strike on Iraq. I was stunned by what she said. I was godsmaked by the power of that storm. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2022, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082/12 "2022-07-17T14:27:56Z")
As in “I want to impress forcibly my future in-laws” or “I want to impress forcibly my fist against that idiot’s face”? ---
**Author:** ![Octagon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/2acd7d/32.png) [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2022, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082/13 "2022-07-17T15:24:24Z")
I’ve seen it in that context to, but more often in the sense (it seemed to me) of awe or shock. Si\_Amigo got it right. I seem to remember it being used differently in different contexts but I’ve never actually come across a definition of the phrase in any dictionary, online or otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2022, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082/14 "2022-07-17T16:07:02Z")
Dictionaries define words not phrases. There is no definition of a phrase without context. it depends on the writer/speaker. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2022, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082/15 "2022-07-17T16:31:11Z")
> [@Octagon](#): > > The problem with the phrase is the word ‘forcibly’. Does the phrase mean to impress in an awe-inspiring way or in an intimidating way? Can it mean both? Sure. Look at the rest of the context. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082/16 "2022-07-18T09:20:17Z")
> [@Octagon](#): > > The problem with the phrase is the word ‘forcibly’. Does the phrase mean to impress in an awe-inspiring way or in an intimidating way? Can it mean both? I would say both, with the phrase chosen to work ironically, implying the stronger meaning through the weaker. Just as, in diplomat-speak, “a full and frank exchange of views”, could mean an all-out row if not an actual punch-up. Though of course the connection with being impressed into service makes absolute sense. One more argument for needing the context. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082/17 "2022-07-18T10:14:31Z")
“implore” could work, as others have said though, it depends on context. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082/18 "2022-07-19T02:37:03Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > Godsmacked This is when the Hand of God comes down from a cloud and whacks you upside the head ? 😁 ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2022, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082/19 "2022-07-20T02:09:13Z")
Extort? Coerce? Rouse? Galvanize? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.E](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.e/32/8932_2.png) [@Mr.E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.E)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2022, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082/20 "2022-07-22T01:34:05Z")
I immediately thought of “overwhelm” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-definition-for-impress-forcibly/968082.md?page=2)